Human Beatbox World history and tournament culture - technology, trends, and player history

Text: mmr｜Theme: History of Human Beatbox, changes in world tournaments, styles of players from each country, characteristics of Japanese players, and analysis of SO-SO/RUSY/Kohey

Human Beatbox is not just an art of making sounds with your mouth; it is a music culture where technical systems exist in countries around the world, international competitions have been held, and new technologies have been invented with each generation. In this article, we will organize the history based on facts and dig deeper into the establishment of world tournaments, player styles in each country, characteristics in Japan, and representative players such as SO-SO, RUSY, and Kohey.

1. Establishment and history of Human Beatbox

◆ 1980–90s: Starts with hip-hop culture

Human Beatbox (hereinafter referred to as beatbox) expanded with the hip-hop culture of the East Coast of the United States in the 1980s. Early representatives include Buff Love of The Fat Boys and Doug E. Fresh, whose technical system evolved from drum machine-like imitation.

In the 1990s, beatboxing spread around the world through radio and live performances, and beatboxing gradually began to become independent as an expression rather than just an accompaniment.

2. Establishment and internationalization of the World Convention

◆ Early 2000s: Establishment of tournament culture

It has been since the 2000s that a global tournament culture has clearly taken shape.

• Beatbox Battle World Championship (BBWC) A world championship held in Germany. There will be multiple categories such as solo, tag, and crew.

• Grand Beatbox Battle (GBB) Although it was relatively small at first, it has grown rapidly since the late 2010s. Forming major international divisions such as solo, loop station, tag, and crew teams.

These competitions raised the level of technical skills around the world, standardizing judging criteria, subdividing genres, and increasing the sophistication of performance formats.

3. Evolution and systemization of technology

Not only has the variety of sounds in beatboxing increased, but the technical system itself has evolved.

◆ Basic structure

• Kick (B)
• Snare (K, Pf)
• Hi-hat (T, Ts)

◆ Advanced technology

• Inward technology (Inward K, Inward Bass, Inward Lip Roll)
• Lip Roll type (both inside and outside)
• Sub-bass type
• Throat Bass -Tongue Bass -Click Roll
• Polyphonic

◆ Innovation since 2010s

Since the late 2010s, it has largely evolved in the following three directions.

1. Groove Musician (Tame Swing Drummer Interpretation)
2. Sound Design (ASMR, mechanical, acoustic approaches)
3. Establishment of loop station (multi-layer construction/electronic music development)

Centered on GBB, ““beatbox as a musical work’’ began to be emphasized.

4. Style and characteristics of each country

◆ 1. France

France is one of the most technologically innovative countries in the world.

• Thickness of mid-bass range
• Focus on sound pressure
• Diversity of technology

◆ 2. United Kingdom

UK has excellent musicality and construction ability.

• Accuracy of Grooves & Timing
• Drummer’s composition ability
• Flexibility across genres

◆ 3. Switzerland

GBB’s home country, Switzerland, is the center of loop station culture.

• Strength of Loopstation Division
• Construction and arrangement ability
• Accuracy of live equipment operation

◆ 4. Asia (Japan, Korea, Taiwan, etc.)

Rapid growth has been remarkable in recent years.

• Precise technical system
• High quality of sound
• Speed ​​of adaptation to genres

In particular, Japan’s strengths include “accuracy of sound,” “composition ability,” and “compatibility with images and production.”

5. Japanese beatbox culture and characteristics

◆ 1. Community culture

In Japan, it has spread through the streets and events since the mid-2000s, and techniques are shared between performers through practice sessions and participation in competitions.

◆ 2. Strong technical orientation

Japanese players are strong in sound accuracy and attention to detail, and are praised even by overseas players.

◆ 3. Fusion with video and editing culture

Mainly on YouTube and SNS, “Video x Music x Performance” Another feature is that the complex beatboxing technique developed from an early stage.

6. A deep dive into Japan’s representative players

Below, we will take a look at Japanese players who are active internationally, based on facts, and summarize their characteristics and achievements.

◆ A. SO-SO - Loop station innovation and musical construction

● International recognition

SO-SO is a representative Japanese artist who has established a worldwide reputation in the Loopstation category. The characteristic is that

• Song development incorporating pop/EDM structure
• Sound design that combines voice and looper
• Balancing melody, chord, and bass line

"”Composer’s approach’’ is strong.

● SO-SO technical features

• Synthetic voice
• Smooth processing of Inward sounds
• Ability to construct the entire song using the looper
• Vocal effect voice

He has helped raise the profile of Loopstation players in Japan, and has a great influence on young players.

◆ B. RUSY - Super accurate rhythm and technical construction

● Precise technique

RUSY is known for his highly accurate rhythms and smooth combination techniques, and has received high praise mainly at domestic tournaments in Japan. The characteristics are:

• tight groove
• Clear and dense pronunciation
• Composition ability in units of one measure

In particular, he is the type of player who has a high level of organization and proficiency in technique, and is praised by overseas players as having ““Japanese precision.’’

◆ C. Kohey ― Multitone, depth, and powerful triple time signature

● Sound pressure and tone

Koey is a player whose sound is deep, powerful, and has a strong bass range. The reason why it is attracting attention both in Japan and abroad is

• Deep Throat sound
• Stability of polyphonic sounds
• Live performance presence

It’s in that part.

● Koey’s style

• Sharpness for battle
• Development that takes advantage of sound pressure
• Incorporating detailed technology into key points

Among recent Japanese players, he is a player with a tone that stands out in live performances.

7. Diversification of tournament categories

◆ Solo

traditional department. Comprehensive skills such as technology, composition, and originality are tested.

◆ Tag Team / Crew

Synchronization, harmony, and composition ability by multiple people are required.

◆ Loopstation

The category that has received the most attention in recent years, “Building multi-layered music by yourself” There is a strong music production element.

◆ Showcases / Exhibition

Emphasis on musicality. New formats have been added as the tournament culture has matured.

8. Human Beatbox Chronology

9. Beatbox trends around the world and the future

◆ 1. The line between music production is blurring

With the development of Loopstation, beatboxing “Real-time version of music production” Towards an area that can be called

◆ 2. Combination with visual culture

The number of ““video-based showcases’’ is increasing in tournaments around the world. We live in an era where SNS accelerates style.

◆ 3. Future of Japanese strengths

Japan is

• Technical precision
• Preciseness
• Arranging ability
• Visual expression

It has an international strength in this respect. We can expect him to continue to be active in both Loopstation and solo.

Conclusion - Human Beatbox as a culture

Human Beatbox is a modern expressive culture that combines many aspects such as music, performance, video, and composition. Nowadays, beatboxing is undergoing major changes such as the maturing of competition culture, the evolution of technology, and the rise of Japanese artists, and beatboxing is becoming more than just a ““technique’’ but is becoming established as an international music genre.

I hope this article will help you understand the history and future of beatboxing.